Configuration of demodulation reference signals in beamformed wireless communication systems

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for efficient configuration of demodulation reference signals in beamformed wireless communications systems. In an embodiment, the transmitter can signal the location of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) by including an indicator bit in downlink control information indicating which DMRS scheme is used in the transmission. A first DMRS scheme can let the user equipment (UE) device know that the DMRS position for the PDSCH carrying the RMSI is as signaled on the master information block (MIB)—referred to as PDSCH Mapping Type A. A second DMRS scheme can let the UE device know that the DMRS position for the PDSCH carrying the RMSI is the first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of said PDSCH allocation—referred to as PDSCH mapping type B).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject patent application is a continuation of, and claims priorityto each of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/665,167, filed Oct. 28,2019, and entitled “CONFIGURATION OF DEMODULATION REFERENCE SIGNALS INBEAMFORMED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS,” which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/867,631 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,505,688), filed Jan. 10, 2018, and entitled “CONFIGURATION OFDEMODULATION REFERENCE SIGNALS IN BEAMFORMED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONSYSTEMS,” the entireties of which applications are hereby incorporatedby reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to the field of mobilecommunication and, more specifically, to signaling a location ofdemodulation reference signals in a beamformed wireless communicationstransmission in a next generation wireless communications network.

BACKGROUND

To meet the huge demand for data centric applications, Third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) systems and systems that employ one or moreaspects of the specifications of the Fourth Generation (4G) standard forwireless communications will be extended to a Fifth Generation (5G)standard for wireless communications. Unique challenges exist to providelevels of service associated with forthcoming 5G and other nextgeneration network standards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram showing a message sequencechart in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram embodiment of a transmitterperforming beam sweeping in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram configuration of a slot withSS blocks and one subcarrier spacing in accordance with various aspectsand embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram configuration of a slot withSS blocks and two subcarrier spacing in accordance with various aspectsand embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example block diagram configuration of a slotwithout SS blocks in accordance with various aspects and embodiments ofthe subject disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example block diagram configuration of a slotwith SS blocks and two subcarrier spacing in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example block diagram configuration of a slotwith SS blocks and two subcarrier spacing in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method for recovering a beam during apartial control channel failure in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method for recovering a beam during apartial control channel failure in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example block diagram of an example userequipment that can be a mobile handset operable to provide a formatindicator in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example block diagram of a computer that can beoperable to execute processes and methods in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for efficient configurationof demodulation reference signals in beamformed wireless communicationssystems. To compensate for mutual coupling losses in millimeter wavesystems, wireless communications systems in these frequency ranges arebeamformed whereby either digitally or in the radio frequency domain thetransmitted and/or received energy is bundled in space, viz., spatiallydirected towards a receiver/transmitter. Beam sweeping encompassestransmission of identical or mostly identical signals/payloads indifferent directions which together cover the entire coverage area of atransmitter. Beam sweeping is a costly procedure that incurs significantoverhead—since identical or almost identical information is transmittedin different directions. Thus, in order to limit the overhead from suchbeam swept transmissions, it is highly desirable to (a) align thetransmission duration of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) thatdeliver remaining system information (RMSI) with that of synchronizationblocks (SS blocks) comprising synchronization signals and (b) totransmit the RMSI on the same beam as the SS blocks. SS blocks simplyincorporate primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondarysynchronization signals (SSS) and physical broadcast channels (PBCH) fora given spatial direction/beam.

In various embodiments, the transmitter can signal the location ofdemodulation reference signals by including an indicator bit in downlinkcontrol information indicating which DMRS scheme is used in thetransmission. A first DMRS scheme can let the user equipment (UE) deviceknow that the DMRS position for the PDSCH carrying the RMSI is assignaled on the master information block (MIB)—referred to as PDSCHMapping Type A. A second DMRS scheme can let the UE device know that theDMRS position for the PDSCH carrying the RMSI is the first orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of said PDSCH allocation(referred to as PDSCH mapping type B). In another embodiment, the DMRSposition can be communicated in the downlink control information byindicating which resource allocation the DMRS signal is in. In yetanother embodiment, the MIB payload can indicate where the DMRS positionis for the PDSCH carrying the RMSI. In yet another embodiment, the DMRSposition can be communicated based on one or more tables associated withthe specification. The downlink control information can specify whichtable indicates the position of the DMRS.

In various embodiments, a base station device can comprise a processorand a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed bythe processor facilitate performance of operations. The operations cancomprise signaling a location for a demodulation reference signal in adata transport data channel, wherein the location identifies a symbol ofthe data transport data channel in which the demodulation referencesignal is located, and wherein the data transport data channeltransports data comprising remaining system information, wherein theremaining system information is system information that is nottransmitted via a control channel. The operations can also comprisemultiplexing the data transport data channel with a synchronizationblock that comprises a synchronization signal and a physical broadcastchannel for a spatial direction. The operations can also comprisetransmitting a beam comprising the data transport data channel and thesynchronization block in the spatial direction, wherein the beamcomprises a beam-formed transmission.

In another embodiment, method comprises identifying, by a transmitterdevice comprising a processor, a location for a demodulation referencesignal in a data transport data channel, wherein the location identifiesa symbol of the data transport data channel in which the demodulationreference signal is located, and wherein the data transport data channelis used to transmit data comprising system information. The method canalso comprise combining, by the transmitter device, the data transportdata channel with a synchronization signal block that comprises asynchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel, wherein thecombining is performed via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing.The method can also comprise transmitting, by the transmitter device, abeam comprising the data transport data channel and the synchronizationsignal block, wherein the beam comprises a beam-formed transmission.

In another embodiment machine-readable storage medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device,facilitate performance of operations. The operations can compriseidentifying a location for a demodulation reference signal in a physicaldownlink shared channel, wherein the location identifies a symbol of thephysical downlink shared channel in which the demodulation referencesignal is located, and wherein the physical downlink shared channelfacilitates transmission of data comprising remaining systeminformation. The operations can also comprise combining the physicaldownlink shared channel with a synchronization signal block thatcomprises a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel,wherein the combining is performed via orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing. The operations can also comprise transmitting a beamcomprising the physical downlink shared channel and the synchronizationsignal block, wherein the beam comprises a beam-formed transmission.

As used in this disclosure, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component.

One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software application orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can comprise a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable (or machine-readable) device or computer-readable (ormachine-readable) storage/communications media. For example, computerreadable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to, magneticstorage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), opticaldisks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smartcards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Ofcourse, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications canbe made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spiritof the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “mobile device equipment,” “mobile station,”“mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,”“communication device,” “mobile device” (and/or terms representingsimilar terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or mobile device of a wireless communication service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point (AP),” “Base Station (BS),”BS transceiver, BS device, cell site, cell site device, “Node B (NB),”“evolved Node B (eNode B),” “home Node B (HNB)” and the like, areutilized interchangeably in the application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that transmits and/or receives data,control, voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from one or more subscriber stations. Data andsignaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “device,” “communication device,” “mobiledevice,” “subscriber,” “customer entity,” “consumer,” “customer entity,”“entity” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unlesscontext warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms), which canprovide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially anywireless communication technology, comprising, but not limited to,wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), global system for mobile communications(GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX), enhanced general packetradio service (enhanced GPRS), third generation partnership project(3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), third generation partnership project 2(3GPP2) ultra mobile broadband (UMB), high speed packet access (HSPA),Z-Wave, Zigbee and other 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacytelecommunication technologies.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system 100 inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. In one or more embodiments, system 100 can comprise one ormore user equipment UEs 104 and 102, which can have one or more antennapanels having vertical and horizontal elements. A UE 102 can be a mobiledevice such as a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, awearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, a heads-up display (HUD)device, a smart car, a machine-type communication (MTC) device, and thelike. UE 102 can also refer to any type of wireless device thatcommunicates with a radio network node in a cellular or mobilecommunication system. Examples of UE 102 are target device, device todevice (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine(M2M) communication, PDA, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptopembedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB donglesetc. User equipment UE 102 can also comprise IOT devices thatcommunicate wirelessly. In various embodiments, system 100 is orcomprises a wireless communication network serviced by one or morewireless communication network providers. In example embodiments, a UE102 can be communicatively coupled to the wireless communication networkvia a network node 106.

The non-limiting term network node (or radio network node) is usedherein to refer to any type of network node serving a UE 102 and UE 104and/or connected to other network node, network element, or anothernetwork node from which the UE 102 or 104 can receive a radio signal.Network nodes can also have multiple antennas for performing varioustransmission operations (e.g., MIMO operations). A network node can havea cabinet and other protected enclosures, an antenna mast, and actualantennas. Network nodes can serve several cells, also called sectors,depending on the configuration and type of antenna. Examples of networknodes (e.g., network node 106) can comprise but are not limited to:NodeB devices, base station (BS) devices, access point (AP) devices, andradio access network (RAN) devices. The network node 106 can alsocomprise multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node devices, including butnot limited to: an MSR BS, an eNode B, a network controller, a radionetwork controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a relay, adonor node controlling relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), atransmission point, a transmission node, an RRU, an RRH, nodes indistributed antenna system (DAS), and the like. In 5G terminology, thenode 106 can be referred to as a gNodeB device.

Wireless communication system 100 can employ various cellulartechnologies and modulation schemes to facilitate wireless radiocommunications between devices (e.g., the UE 102 and 104 and the networknode 106). For example, system 100 can operate in accordance with aUMTS, long term evolution (LTE), high speed packet access (HSPA), codedivision multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA),frequency division multiple access (FDMA), multi-carrier code divisionmultiple access (MC-CDMA), single-carrier code division multiple access(SC-CDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), OFDM, (DFT)-spread OFDM orSC-FDMA)), FBMC, ZT DFT-s-OFDM, GFDM, UFMC, UW DFT-Spread-OFDM, UW-OFDM,CP-OFDM, resource-block-filtered OFDM, and UFMC. However, variousfeatures and functionalities of system 100 are particularly describedwherein the devices (e.g., the UEs 102 and 104 and the network device106) of system 100 are configured to communicate wireless signals usingone or more multi carrier modulation schemes, wherein data symbols canbe transmitted simultaneously over multiple frequency subcarriers (e.g.,OFDM, CP-OFDM, DFT-spread OFMD, UFMC, FMBC, etc.).

In various embodiments, system 100 can be configured to provide andemploy 5G wireless networking features and functionalities. 5G wirelesscommunication networks are expected to fulfill the demand ofexponentially increasing data traffic and to allow people and machinesto enjoy gigabit data rates with virtually zero latency. Compared to 4G,5G supports more diverse traffic scenarios. For example, in addition tothe various types of data communication between conventional UEs (e.g.,phones, smartphones, tablets, PCs, televisions, Internet enabledtelevisions, etc.) supported by 4G networks, 5G networks can be employedto support data communication between smart cars in association withdriverless car environments, as well as machine type communications(MTCs).

In an embodiment, network node 106 can send beamformed transmissions toUE 104 and 102 in order to avoid mutual coupling losses. Particularly,in the centimeter wave (cmWave) regime, but even more so in themillimeter wave (mmWave) regime, the mutual coupling loss (MCL) betweenthe transmitter and receiver is exorbitantly larger than in traditionalwireless communications systems which predominantly operate in frequencyranges below 6 GHz or even below 1 GHz. The near-field loss—whichquadratically depends on the carrier frequency—is responsible for thelower MCL in free-space propagation and whereas path loss exponents donot significantly depend on the carrier frequency, the penetration lossdoes exceedingly depend on the carrier frequency as well. On top, thebandwidths that are available in mmWave systems are also vastly largerthan below 6 GHz, thereby further decreasing the MCL by means of ahigher thermal noise floor.

To compensate the extreme MCL in mmWave systems, wireless communicationssystems in these frequency ranges are beamformed whereby eitherdigitally or in the radio frequency domain the transmitted and/orreceived energy is bundled in space, viz., spatially directed towards areceiver/transmitter. Referring to FIG. 1, the network node 106beamforms the primary and secondary synchronization signals (PSS andSSS, respectively) as well as the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). ThePBCH carries the MasterInformationBlock (MIB) whereas remaining systeminformation (RMSI) is delivered via physical downlink shared channel(PDSCH) transmissions each scheduled by a physical downlink controlchannel (PDCCH) transmission. After receiving the RMSI, which containsthe random access channel (RACH) configuration, user equipment (UE) caninitiate a random access procedure by sending a physical random accesschannel (PRACH) transmission which the network responds to in the randomaccess response (RAR) scheduled by a PDCCH in. The RAR contains amongstothers an uplink (UL) grant for the message 3 transmitted on thephysical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

In order to beamform the transmissions the broadcasted signals andchannels are “beam swept.” Beam sweeping is illustrated in diagram 300depicted in FIG. 3 and encompasses transmission of identical or mostlyidentical signals/payloads in different directions which together coverthe entire coverage area of a transmitter/transmission point/basestation/next-generation Node B (gnodeB/gNB). As an example, payload 302is transmitted in a first direction at a first time, while payloads 304,306, and 308 are transmitted sequentially in the other directions atrespective times.

Assuming an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system andtaking 3GPP NR as an example, the OFDM subcarrier spacing for SS blockscould be one of {15, 30, 120, 240} kHz whereas the OFDM subcarrierspacing of PDCCHs/PDSCHs delivering RMSI could be one of {15, 30, 60,120} kHz. Due to the (power-of-two) scaling laws of these subcarrierspacings and because SS blocks always comprise four OFDM symbols(compare FIGS. 3 and 4) and for the applicable combinations per the 3GPP5G NR standard, PDSCH transmissions that deliver RMSI and that arealigned with SS block transmission durations can span either 2 or 4 OFDMsymbols as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Hence, within a given slot of 14OFDM symbols up to 4×L transmissions carrying RMSI can theoretically bescheduled assuming they are frequency-division multiplexed (FDM'ed) withSS blocks and the transmitter hardware is capable of producing L beamsat any given time.

To transmit 4×L transmissions carrying RMSI within a slot, 4×L PDCCHtransmissions are required. Ideally, these PDCCH are transmitted on thesame beam as the corresponding RMSI which itself is transmitted on thesame beam as one of the SS blocks. In order to transmit 4×L PDCCHtransmissions scheduling 4×L transmissions carrying RMSI, 4 OFDM symbolswith control resources are needed. The 5G NR system, however, supports amaximum control resource set (CORESET) span of 3. In particular, themaximum CORESET span is 2 OFDM symbols when DMRS for slot-basedtransmissions is sent on the 3^(rd) OFDM symbol of a slot and themaximum CORESET span is 3 OFDM symbols when DMRS for slot-basedtransmissions is sent on the 4^(th) OFDM symbol of a slot. Whether DMRSfor slot-based transmissions occurs on the third or fourth symbol isbroadcasted in either the MIB or RMSI.

According to embodiment of the subject disclosure, methods and apparatusare disclosed that fix the DMRS position for slot-based transmissions inslots carrying SS blocks while retaining the flexibility of being ableto configure its position by broadcast signaling. In other words, unlikethe prior art, the DMRS position for slot based transmissions can differbetween slots.

According to an embodiment, for a gNB (e.g., network node 106) with L=4antenna panels, i.e., the capability to send L=4 beams simultaneously,and assuming 240 kHz subcarrier spacing for SS blocks, we can use 3 OFDMsymbols to schedule 12 mini-slots carrying RMSI in the same beams as the4×L=16 SS block transmissions within the duration of a slot. Then,12/16=75% of SS block beams are used for RMSI transmissions. This,however, requires to fix the DMRS position in the MIB to the 4th OFDMsymbol to make available 3 OFDM symbols for transmission of controlinformation required to schedule the RMSI. If, on the other hand, theDMRS position in the MIB is set to the 3rd OFDM symbol, only 8mini-slots can be scheduled (2 symbols carrying control information eachwith L=4 beams) in the same beams as the 16 SS block transmissions andthe re-use drops by 33% to 8/16=50%.

In order to retain the flexibility of signalling the DMRS position inthe MIB while maximizing the reuse of SS block beams for RMSItransmissions in slots with SS block transmissions, in an embodiment, tofix the DMRS position in slots with SS blocks to the 4th OFDM symbolregardless of what DMRS position is signalled in the MIB for slot basedPDSCH transmissions.

The proposed solutions addresses some of the shortcomings of previousimplementation. The DMRS position for slot based transmissions can stillbe configured in a cell-specific manner, i.e., independently of a UE'sUE-specific transmission bandwidth (e.g., UE 102 or 104). At the sametime, the reuse of beams/antenna panels at the gNB can be increased byup to 33% when RMSI and SS block transmissions are frequency divisionmultiplexed within the same analog RF beam. Specifically, a shortCORESET span can be signaled in the MIB/RMSI, thereby allowing to tailorthe control overhead to the small number of users within a narrow analogRF beam, while at the same time, a large CORESET span can be configuredin slots carrying SS block transmissions in order to allow scheduling ofas many RMSI transmissions as possible whereby said RMSI transmissionsare aligned with the transmission durations of SS block transmissionssuch that they can be multiplexed within the same RF beam.

In an embodiment, the DMRS position is informed to the UE as part of thedownlink control information (DCI) carried on the PDCCH that schedulesthe PDSCH carrying the RMSI. For example, a single bit in the DCI caninform the UE whether the DMRS position for the PDSCH carrying the RMSIis as signaled on the MIB (referred to as PDSCH mapping type A) orwhether the DMRS position for the PDSCH carrying the RMSI is the firstOFDM of said PDSCH allocation (referred to as PDSCH mapping type B).

In another embodiment, the DMRS position is also informed to the UE aspart of the downlink control information (DCI) carried on the PDCCH thatschedules the PDSCH carrying the RMSI. However, instead of using adedicated bit in the DCI the PDSCH mapping type (viz. A or B) is jointlyinformed to the UE with the resource allocation for the PDSCH carryingthe RSMI. For example, a table could be defined in the specifications ofthe wireless communications systems whereby N bits in the DCI point to2^(N) rows of said table and each row encodes the resource allocation ofthe PDSCH together with the PDSCH mapping type (A or B).

In yet another embodiment, the DMRS position is not informed to the UEas part of the downlink control information (DCI) carried on the PDCCHthat schedules the PDSCH carrying the RMSI. Rather, the MIB payloadinforms the UE about the DMRS position for the PDSCH carrying the RMSI.

In yet another embodiment, the DMRS position is informed to the UE aspart of one or more of the tables. In one example, the PDSCH mappingtype (A or B) of the PDSCH carrying the RMSI is explicitly included insaid tables. Alternatively, the PDSCH mapping type (A or B) of the PDSCHcarrying the RMSI can be implicitly derived from the “first symbolindex” column of a table. In yet another example, the DMRS position forthe PDSCH carrying the RMSI (PDSCH mapping type A or B) can be derivedby a combination of one or more tables. For example, the “Number ofSymbols N_(symb) ^(CORESET)” column could be used to determine the PDSCHmapping type of the PDSCH carrying the RMSI. An exemplary table isincluded here in Table 1. In Table 1, Parameters for PDCCH monitoringoccasions for Type0-PDCCH common search space—SS/PBCH block and controlresource set multiplexing type 1 and carrier frequencies smaller than orequal to 6 GHz. Other tables included in the 3GPP specification cancorrespond to different transmission contexts.

TABLE 1 SS/PBCH block and control resource set multiplexing Number ofNumber of Index pattern RBs Symbols Offset (RBs) 0 1 48 1 0 1 1 48 1 8 21 48 2 0 3 1 48 2 8 4 2 24 1 −41 if condition A −42 if condition B 5 224 1 25 6 2 24 2 −41 if condition A −42 if condition B 7 2 24 2 25 8 248 1 −41 if condition A −42 if condition B 9 2 48 1 49 10 2 48 2 −41 ifcondition A −42 if condition B 11 2 48 2 49 12 Reserved 13 Reserved 14Reserved 15 Reserved

The embodiments herein may equally be applied to transmission of othersystem information (OSI) as well as other common (i.e. broadcasted)channels incl. paging messages and random access responses in the randomaccess channel (RACH) procedure. Some of the embodiments herein,pertinent information may not be transmitted by the MIB on the PBCH butrather by system information such as the RMSI. For example, for OSI,paging and RACH procedures, applicable configurations may be conveyed tothe UE by RMSI rather than by the MIB.

In an embodiment, the DMRS position for slot based transmission issignaled in the MIB. Alternatively, it can also be signaled in the RMSI.However, in slots carrying SS blocks, the DMRS position for slot basedtransmission may differ from that signaled in the MIB/RMSI depending onthe carrier frequency range. For example, in frequency bands with L≤16,the DMRS position for slot based transmissions may always be as signaledin the MIB/RMSI regardless of the presence of SS block transmissionswithin the same slot. However, for L>16, the DMRS position for slotbased transmissions may be fixed to the 4^(th) OFDM symbol in slots withSS block transmissions regardless of what is signaled in the MIB/RMSI.Alternatively, instead of tying it to L, the behavior can depend on thecarrier frequency directly, e.g., for carrier frequencies below f_(c)=2GHz, the DMRS position for slot based transmissions may always be assignaled in the MIB/RMSI regardless of the presence of SS blocktransmissions within the same slot. However, for carrier frequenciesbeyond f_(c)=2 GHz, the DMRS position for slot based transmissions maybe fixed to the 4^(th) OFDM symbol in slots with SS block transmissionsregardless of what is signaled in the MIB/RMSI. The values of L andf_(c) in these examples ought not to be construed in a limiting senseand other values can apply.

In another embodiment, the number of actually transmitted SS blocks canchange depending on the deployment scenario, network configurability, orhardware capability, e.g., the gNB may only transmit L=16 instead ofL=64. Depending on the number of actually transmitted SS blocks in agiven slot, different DMRS symbol locations (e.g., 3rd or 4th symbol)apply. In one alternative, the number and/or pattern of actuallytransmitted SS blocks is conveyed by the RMSI and the UE overrides thelocation of the MIB-indicated DMRS configuration based on the indicationin the RMSI. For example, if the DMRS is configured to be present on the4^(th) symbol per the MIB/RMSI, however, the RMSI indicates that onlyL≤16 SS blocks are transmitted, the UE may assume that DMRS is nottransmitted on the 4^(th) symbol of those slots, but instead the 3rdsymbol of the slot.

In yet another embodiment, the value of the DMRS location indicated inthe MIB (e.g., 3^(rd) or 4^(th) OFDM symbol) could be different in eachPBCH depending on the associated SS block time index. For example, incase of L=64, for SS block indices 0:15, the corresponding RMSI may onlybe transmitted in the same beams as the first 2 SS blocks and the MIBindicates the DMRS is located in the 3^(rd) symbol of the correspondingslot. However, for SS block indices 16:31, the corresponding RMSI mayonly be transmitted in the same beams as the remaining 2 SS blocks ofthe slot and the MIB indicates the DMRS is located 4^(th) symbol of thecorresponding slot.

In yet another embodiment, the DMRS for slot based transmissions is nottransmitted in slots in which SS blocks are transmitted. This allows theCORESET to span 4 OFDM symbols as depicted in FIG. 6 thereby allowing toschedule up to four PDSCH transmissions carrying RMSI which is also themaximum number of SS blocks in one slot for a given antenna panel. Inother words, all beams of an antenna panel used for SS blocktransmissions can simultaneously be used for RMSI transmissions forutmost efficiency in the beam sweeping operation.

Other embodiments represent a combination of the embodiments herein. Forexample, whether DMRS for slot based transmissions is transmitted inslots carrying SS blocks could be band-specific, i.e., depending on thecarrier frequency f_(c). In another example, the number of SS blocktransmissions could differ between slots carrying SS blocktransmissions. Whether DMRS for slot based transmissions is transmittedin slots carrying SS blocks could then depend on the actual number of SSblocks in a given slot.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example block diagram showing amessage sequence chart 200 in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

In FIG. 2, a GNB 202 can transmit a beamformed communication to UE 204,and send a series of control channel information, signaling, and othercontrol plane transmissions before sending the downlink shared channel212 that comprises the data payload. The GNB 202 beamforms the primaryand secondary synchronization signals 206 (PSS and SSS, respectively) aswell as the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) 208. The PBCH carries theMaster Information Block (MIB) whereas remaining system information(RMSI) is delivered via physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)transmissions 212 each scheduled by a physical downlink control channel(PDCCH) transmission 210.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an example block diagram 400 of aconfiguration of a slot with SS blocks and one subcarrier spacing inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4, can correspond to anembodiment where the DMRS 408 is in the 4th symbol of the slot.

In an embodiment, the DMRS 408 position for slot based transmissions maybe fixed to the 4^(th) OFDM symbol in slots with SS block transmissionsregardless of what is signaled in the RMSI 412. Alternatively, insteadof tying it to L, the behavior can depend on the carrier frequencydirectly, e.g., for carrier frequencies below f_(c)=2 GHz, the DMRS 408position for slot based transmissions may always be as signaled in theRMSI 412 regardless of the presence of SS block transmissions (thatinclude PSS 402, SSS 404, and PBCH 406) within the same slot. However,for carrier frequencies beyond f_(c)=2 GHz, the DMRS position for slotbased transmissions may be fixed to the 4^(th) OFDM symbol in slots withSS block transmissions regardless of what is signaled in the MIB/RMSI.The slot can also include PDCCH 410 that can include downlink controlinformation.

Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is an example block diagram 500 of aconfiguration of a slot with SS blocks and two subcarrier spacing inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5, can correspond to anembodiment where the DMRS 508 is in the 4th symbol of the slot.Furthermore, in FIG. 5, since the beams have 2 subcarrier spacing, inthe SS blocks, a symbol can comprise both a synchronization signal,either PSS 502 or SSS 504 along with the PBCH 506. The DMRS 508 can belocated in the 4th symbol and the slots can also include PDCCH 510 andRMSI 512. Since there are three beams of RMSI 512, there can be threesets of PDCCH 510 to configure the RMSI 512.

Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an example block diagram 600 of aconfiguration of a slot without SS blocks in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure. Since there are no SSblocks, the DMRS 602 can be on the third symbol along with two symbolsof PDCCH 604.

Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated are another example block diagram 700of a configuration of a slot with SS blocks and two subcarrier spacingin accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7, can correspond to an embodiment wherethe DMRS 708 is not present. In this embodiment, DMRS for slot basedtransmissions is not transmitted in slots in which SS blocks (e.g., PSS702, SSS 704, and PBCH 706) are transmitted. This allows the CORESET tospan 4 OFDM symbols (e.g., the four symbols of PDCCH 710) therebyallowing to schedule up to four PDSCH transmissions carrying RMSI 712which is also the maximum number of SS blocks in one slot for a givenantenna panel. In other words, all beams of an antenna panel used for SSblock transmissions can simultaneously be used for RMSI transmissionsfor utmost efficiency in the beam sweeping operation.

Turning now to FIG. 8 illustrated is another example block diagram 800of a configuration of a slot with SS blocks and two subcarrier spacingin accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. In the embodiment, the CORESET can span 4 OFDM symbols(e.g., the four symbols of PDCCH 810) thereby allowing to schedule up tofour PDSCH transmissions carrying RMSI 812 which is also the maximumnumber of SS blocks (e.g., PSS 802, SSS 804, and PBCH 806) in one slotfor a given antenna panel. In the embodiment shown, the DMRS 808 can beincluded in the RMSI 812.

In an embodiment, the DMRS 808 position is informed to the UE as part ofthe downlink control information (DCI) carried on the PDCCH 810 thatschedules the PDSCH carrying the RMSI 812. For example, a single bit inthe DCI can inform the UE whether the DMRS position for the PDSCHcarrying the RMSI 812 is as signaled on the MIB (referred to as PDSCHmapping type A) or whether the DMRS 808 position for the PDSCH carryingthe RMSI 812 is the first OFDM of said PDSCH allocation (referred to asPDSCH mapping type B).

In another embodiment of the present application, the DMRS 808 positionis also informed to the UE as part of the downlink control information(DCI) carried on the PDCCH that schedules the PDSCH carrying the RMSI812. However, instead of using a dedicated bit in the DCI the PDSCHmapping type (viz. A or B) is jointly informed to the UE with theresource allocation for the PDSCH carrying the RSMI 812. For example, atable could be defined in the specifications of the wirelesscommunications systems whereby N bits in the DCI point to 2^(N) rows ofsaid table and each row encodes the resource allocation of the PDSCHtogether with the PDSCH mapping type (A or B).

FIGS. 9-10 illustrates a process in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The processes in FIGS. 9-10 can be implemented for example bythe systems in FIGS. 1-8 respectively. While for purposes of simplicityof explanation, the methods are shown and described as a series ofblocks, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subjectmatter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks mayoccur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks fromwhat is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustratedblocks may be required to implement the methods described hereinafter.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method 900 for recovering a beam during apartial control channel failure in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

Method 900 can begin at 902 where the method includes signaling alocation for a demodulation reference signal in a data transport datachannel, wherein the location identifies a symbol of the data transportdata channel in which the demodulation reference signal is located, andwherein the data transport data channel transports data comprisingremaining system information, wherein the remaining system informationis system information that is not transmitted via a control channel.

At 904, the method includes multiplexing the data transport data channelwith a synchronization block that comprises a synchronization signal anda physical broadcast channel for a spatial direction.

At 906, the method includes transmitting a beam comprising the datatransport data channel and the synchronization block in the spatialdirection, wherein the beam comprises a beam-formed transmission.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method 1000 for recovering a beam duringa partial control channel failure in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

Method 1000 can begin at 1002 wherein the method includes identifying,by a transmitter device comprising a processor, a location for ademodulation reference signal in a data transport data channel, whereinthe location identifies a symbol of the data transport data channel inwhich the demodulation reference signal is located, and wherein the datatransport data channel is used to transmit data comprising systeminformation.

At 1004, the method can include combining, by the transmitter device,the data transport data channel with a synchronization signal block thatcomprises a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel,wherein the combining is performed via orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing.

At 1006, the method can include transmitting, by the transmitter device,a beam comprising the data transport data channel and thesynchronization signal block, wherein the beam comprises a beam-formedtransmission.

Referring now to FIG. 11, illustrated is a schematic block diagram of anexample end-user device such as a user equipment) that can be a mobiledevice 1100 capable of connecting to a network in accordance with someembodiments described herein. Although a mobile handset 1100 isillustrated herein, it will be understood that other devices can be amobile device, and that the mobile handset 1100 is merely illustrated toprovide context for the embodiments of the various embodiments describedherein. The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of an example of a suitable environment 1100 in which thevarious embodiments can be implemented. While the description includes ageneral context of computer-executable instructions embodied on amachine-readable storage medium, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the various embodiments also can be implemented in combination withother program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

A computing device can typically include a variety of machine-readablemedia. Machine-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM,digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The handset 1100 includes a processor 1102 for controlling andprocessing all onboard operations and functions. A memory 1104interfaces to the processor 1102 for storage of data and one or moreapplications 1106 (e.g., a video player software, user feedbackcomponent software, etc.). Other applications can include voicerecognition of predetermined voice commands that facilitate initiationof the user feedback signals. The applications 1106 can be stored in thememory 1104 and/or in a firmware 1108, and executed by the processor1102 from either or both the memory 1104 or/and the firmware 1108. Thefirmware 1108 can also store startup code for execution in initializingthe handset 1100. A communications component 1110 interfaces to theprocessor 1102 to facilitate wired/wireless communication with externalsystems, e.g., cellular networks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, thecommunications component 1110 can also include a suitable cellulartransceiver 1111 (e.g., a GSM transceiver) and/or an unlicensedtransceiver 1113 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax) for corresponding signalcommunications. The handset 1100 can be a device such as a cellulartelephone, a PDA with mobile communications capabilities, andmessaging-centric devices. The communications component 1110 alsofacilitates communications reception from terrestrial radio networks(e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, and Internet-basedradio services networks.

The handset 1100 includes a display 1112 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 1112 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 1112 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface1114 is provided in communication with the processor 1102 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1394) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 1100, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 1116, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 1116 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 1100 can include a slot interface 1118 for accommodating aSIC (Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a cardSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) or universal SIM 1120, and interfacingthe SIM card 1120 with the processor 1102. However, it is to beappreciated that the SIM card 1120 can be manufactured into the handset1100, and updated by downloading data and software.

The handset 1100 can process IP data traffic through the communicationcomponent 1110 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 800 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or decoded format.

A video processing component 1122 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 1122can aid in facilitating the generation, editing and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 1100 also includes a power source 1124 in the formof batteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 1124 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 1126.

The handset 1100 can also include a video component 1130 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 1130 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 1132 facilitates geographically locating the handset 1100. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 1134facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 1134 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 1134 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 1106, a hysteresis component 1136facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 1138 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 1138 when the Wi-Fi transceiver1113 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 1140 enablesthe handset 1100 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriberwith the SIP registrar server. The applications 1106 can also include aclient 1142 that provides at least the capability of discovery, play andstore of multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 1100, as indicated above related to the communicationscomponent 810, includes an indoor network radio transceiver 1113 (e.g.,Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link, suchas IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 1100. The handset 1100 canaccommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset that cancombine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a single handhelddevice.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1200 operable to execute the functions and operations performedin the described example embodiments. For example, a network node (e.g.,network node 406) may contain components as described in FIG. 12. Thecomputer 1200 can provide networking and communication capabilitiesbetween a wired or wireless communication network and a server and/orcommunication device. In order to provide additional context for variousaspects thereof, FIG. 12 and the following discussion are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environmentin which the various aspects of the embodiments can be implemented tofacilitate the establishment of a transaction between an entity and athird party. While the description above is in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodimentsalso can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/oras a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the various methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the various embodiments can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performedby remote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference to FIG. 12, implementing various aspects described hereinwith regards to the end-user device can include a computer 1200, thecomputer 1200 including a processing unit 1204, a system memory 1206 anda system bus 1208. The system bus 1208 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 1206 to the processingunit 1204. The processing unit 1204 can be any of various commerciallyavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processorarchitectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1204.

The system bus 1208 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1206includes read-only memory (ROM) 1227 and random access memory (RAM)1212. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1227 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1200, such as during start-up. The RAM 1212 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1200 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1214 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1214 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1216, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1218) and an optical disk drive 1220, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1222 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1214, magnetic diskdrive 1216 and optical disk drive 1220 can be connected to the systembus 1208 by a hard disk drive interface 1224, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1226 and an optical drive interface 1228, respectively. Theinterface 1224 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject embodiments.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1200 the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer 1200, such aszip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, can also be used in the example operating environment, andfurther, that any such media can contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed embodiments.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1212,including an operating system 1230, one or more application programs1232, other program modules 1234 and program data 1236. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1212. It is to be appreciated that the variousembodiments can be implemented with various commercially availableoperating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1200 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1238 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1240. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1204 through an input deviceinterface 1242 that is coupled to the system bus 1208, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1244 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1208 through an interface, such as a video adapter 1246. Inaddition to the monitor 1244, a computer 1200 typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1200 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections by wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1248. The remotecomputer(s) 1248 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentdevice, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer,although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1250 isillustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1252 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1254. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which mayconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1200 isconnected to the local network 1252 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1256. The adapter 1256 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1252, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1256.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1200 can includea modem 1258, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1254, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1254, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1258, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1208 through the input device interface 1242. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1250. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer is operable to communicate with any wireless devices orentities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE802.11 (a, b,g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Finetworks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate, for example, or withproducts that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic “10BaseT” wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

As used in this application, the terms “system,” “component,”“interface,” and the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational machinewith one or more specific functionalities. The entities disclosed hereincan be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software,software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor,an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. These components also can execute from various computerreadable storage media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry that is operated bysoftware or firmware application(s) executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. An interface can comprise input/output (I/O)components as well as associated processor, application, and/or APIcomponents.

Furthermore, the disclosed subject matter may be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware,or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement thedisclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, computer-readable carrier, orcomputer-readable media. For example, computer-readable media caninclude, but are not limited to, a magnetic storage device, e.g., harddisk; floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); an optical disk (e.g., compactdisk (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); a smartcard; a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive); and/or avirtual device that emulates a storage device and/or any of the abovecomputer-readable media.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor also can be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” “datastorage,” “database,” “repository,” “queue”, and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory. In addition, memory components or memory elementscan be removable or stationary. Moreover, memory can be internal orexternal to a device or component, or removable or stationary. Memorycan comprise various types of media that are readable by a computer,such as hard-disc drives, zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards or other types of memory cards, cartridges, or the like.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory cancomprise read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function inthe herein illustrated example aspects of the embodiments. In thisregard, it will also be recognized that the embodiments comprises asystem as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing the acts and/or events of the variousmethods.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, solid state drive (SSD) or other solid-state storagetechnology, compact disk read only memory (CD ROM), digital versatiledisk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which canbe used to store desired information.

In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein asapplied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to beunderstood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se asmodifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memoryor computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitorysignals per se. Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by oneor more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operationswith respect to the information stored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as amodulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media.The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and notlimitation, communications media comprise wired media, such as a wirednetwork or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,RF, infrared and other wireless media

Further, terms like “user equipment,” “user device,” “mobile device,”“mobile,” station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” andsimilar terminology, generally refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or user of a wireless communication network or service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably in the subject specification and relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “node B,” “base station,”“evolved Node B,” “cell,” “cell site,” and the like, can be utilizedinterchangeably in the subject application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that serves and receives data, control,voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from a set of subscriber stations. Data and signalingstreams can be packetized or frame-based flows. It is noted that in thesubject specification and drawings, context or explicit distinctionprovides differentiation with respect to access points or base stationsthat serve and receive data from a mobile device in an outdoorenvironment, and access points or base stations that operate in aconfined, primarily indoor environment overlaid in an outdoor coveragearea. Data and signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout the subjectspecification, unless context warrants particular distinction(s) amongthe terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to humanentities, associated devices, or automated components supported throughartificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based oncomplex mathematical formalisms) which can provide simulated vision,sound recognition and so forth. In addition, the terms “wirelessnetwork” and “network” are used interchangeable in the subjectapplication, when context wherein the term is utilized warrantsdistinction for clarity purposes such distinction is made explicit.

Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the wordexemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As usedin this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, orclear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of thenatural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; orX employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under anyof the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” asused in this application and the appended claims should generally beconstrued to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear fromcontext to be directed to a singular form.

In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several implementations, such feature may becombined with one or more other features of the other implementations asmay be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including” andvariants thereof are used in either the detailed description or theclaims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising.”

The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosureand corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise formsdisclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the artmay recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations,combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same,similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subjectmatter, and are therefore considered within the scope of thisdisclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not belimited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should beconstrued in breadth and scope in accordance with the claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: signaling, by networkequipment comprising a processor, to a user equipment, a location of ademodulation reference signal in a beamformed transmission comprisingremaining system information and a synchronization signal; andtransmitting, by the network equipment, the beamformed transmission in aspecified spatial direction.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein signalingthe location comprises: setting an indicator bit in downlink controlinformation, wherein the indicator bit indicates the location for thedemodulation reference signal.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein asetting of the indicator bit indicates that a master information blockidentifies the location of the demodulation reference signal.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein a setting of the indicator bit indicates thata symbol of a data transport data channel comprises the demodulationreference signal.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein signaling thelocation comprises: employing a symbol index column of a table thatindicates the location of the demodulation reference signal.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein signaling the location comprises: employing atable that indicates a resource allocation for a data transport datachannel in downlink control information, wherein the resource allocationcomprises the demodulation reference signal.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein signaling the location comprises: indicating, in downlinkcontrol information, a resource allocation that comprises thedemodulation reference signal.
 8. Network equipment, comprising: aprocessor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, facilitate performance of operations,comprising: identifying, to a user equipment, a symbol that comprises ademodulation reference signal in a beamformed transmission comprisingremaining system information and a synchronization signal; andtransmitting the beamformed transmission in a defined spatial direction.9. The network equipment of claim 8, wherein identifying the symbolcomprises: setting an indicator bit in downlink control information,wherein the indicator bit indicates the symbol that comprises thedemodulation reference signal.
 10. The network equipment of claim 9,wherein a first setting of the indicator bit indicates that a masterinformation block identifies the symbol that comprises the demodulationreference signal.
 11. The network equipment of claim 10, wherein thesymbol is a first symbol, and wherein a second setting of the indicatorbit indicates that a second symbol of a data transport data channelcomprises the demodulation reference signal.
 12. The network equipmentof claim 8, wherein identifying the symbol comprises: employing a symbolindex column of a table that indicates the symbol that comprises thedemodulation reference signal.
 13. The network equipment of claim 8,wherein identifying the symbol comprises: employing a data structurethat indicates a resource allocation for a data transport data channelin downlink control information, wherein the resource allocationcomprises the symbol that comprises the demodulation reference signal.14. The network equipment of claim 8, wherein identifying the symbolcomprises: indicating, in downlink control information, a resourceallocation comprises the symbol that comprises the demodulationreference signal.
 15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor ofnetwork equipment, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:indicating, to a user equipment, a position of a demodulation referencesignal in a beamformed transmission comprising remaining systeminformation and a synchronization signal; and transmitting thebeamformed transmission according to a spatial direction.
 16. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein indicatingthe position comprises: setting an indicator bit in downlink controlinformation, wherein the indicator bit indicates the position of thedemodulation reference signal.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 16, wherein a first setting of the indicator bitindicates that a master information block identifies the position of thedemodulation reference signal.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 16, wherein a second setting of the indicator bitindicates that a symbol of a data transport data channel comprises thedemodulation reference signal.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein indicating the position comprises: employinga symbol index column of a table that indicates the position of thedemodulation reference signal.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein indicating the position comprises: employinga table that indicates a resource allocation for a data transport datachannel in downlink control information, wherein the resource allocationcomprises the demodulation reference signal.